As the Yugo Wrap-Up recounts in breathless detail, frenzied last-minute bidding pushed the price up to $2,202. Improbably, I was only off by the two Sacagaweas that our friend Matt included in the transaction.

Fast-forward to the present. Kurt shows up at my desk with a bottle of Bistra Slivovitz, "produced," says the box, "from Serbian plums by application of a special technological treatment." The primary achievement of this technology is a rating of 50% ABV, or 100 proof for the American crowd. "Fresh, sound, ripe plums" are claimed to be involved.

We grab some disposable Starbucks cups for our ceremonial pours. A few minutes in, the high-tech brandy has turned the cup bottoms translucent, and Kurt's has sprung a small leak. I remark that it tastes like a fine tequila. European Correspondent Alistair Weaver, who happens to be passing through, likens it to gasoline.

The Yugo's just a memory now, but our chests burn with affection. You can follow its latest exploits on Instagram at wego4yugo, by the way. May the Balkan Bullet forever speed along.